The Central Board of Secondary Education has released the CBSE class 10 sample papers 2025-26 on its official website. Students appearing for the CBSE 10th board exams 2026 have to mandatorily appear for the science paper. CBSE board has released all the relevant study material on its official website – cbseacademic.nic.in.
The CBSE 10th exams 2026 will be conducted from February 17 to March 10, 2026. However, the science paper for the secondary exam is scheduled on February 25, 2026 at 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The total marks in CBSE class 10 science exam is 100 where the theory paper is of 80 marks while the internal assessment comprises the rest 20 marks.
In the theory paper of CBSE 10th Science, there are three sections – Physics, Chemistry and Biology. All Questions in the paper are compulsory, however, the CBSE board allows internal choices. For effective preparation of the paper, students are advised to download the detailed exam pattern, syllabus and sample papers. Students appearing for the science exam are advised to thoroughly practice the CBSE 10th Science sample paper 2026.
Also Check: CBSE Maths Class 10th Syllabus 2025-26: Basic & Standard Mathematics Exam Pattern Explained
CBSE 10th Science Sample Paper 2026: Download PDF
CBSE class 10th sample papers for all the subjects are released by the board every year. Students appearing for the exam can check the CBSE 10th Science sample papers and their marking scheme for last few years from the table below:
| Year | CBSE 10th Science Sample Papers | Marking Scheme |
| SQP 2025-2026 | Download | Download |
| SQP 2024-2025 | Download | Download |
| SQP 2023-2024 | Download | Download |
| SQP 2022-2023 | Download | Download |
| SQP 2021-2022 | Term 1 – Download Term 2 – Download | Term 1 – Download Term 2 – Download |
| SQP 2020-2021 | Download | Download |
| SQP 2019-2020 | Download | Download |
| SQP 2018-2019 | Download | Download |
| SQP 2017-2018 | Download | Download |
| SQP 2016-2017 | Download | Download |
| SQP 2015-2016 | Download | Download |
CBSE Class 10 Science 2026: Exam Pattern
The CBSE 10th exam pattern 2026 was released by the board on its official website – cbseacademic.nic.in. There are a total of five types of questions in CBSE class 10 science exam 2026. Students appearing for the upcoming board exams can check the same from below:
- Objective Type Questions: There are a total of roughly 20 questions of this type in the CBSE 10th science paper. The objective type questions are of 1 mark each, thereby, this section holds a weightage of 20 marks in the theory paper of the science exam.
- Very Short Answer Type Questions: These questions carry 2 marks each. The science theory paper has 5-6 very short answer type questions. Thus, the total weightage from this question type is 10 to 12 marks out of 80.
- Short Answer Type Questions: The short answer type questions are of 3 marks each. These questions must be answered in one or two paragraphs. Typically, CBSE sets 6-7 questions from this section. These types of questions carry a weightage of 18 or 21 marks.
- Long Answer Type Questions: CBSE 10th science exam 2026 comprises 2 or 3 long answer type questions only. For these questions, students must have a deep understanding of the topic. The answers must be explained carefully. They carry 5 marks each and have a total weightage of 10-15 marks.
- Source-based/case-based questions: The case based questions or source based questions carry 4 marks and around 3 questions are asked from this section in CBSE secondary exams. These questions require application of the subject knowledge.
Read more: CBSE Class 10 Science Exam Pattern 2025-26: All You Need to Know
CBSE 10th Science Exam 2026: Latest Syllabus
In the CBSE 10th syllabus 2026 science paper, students have to cover all three subjects of science – physics, chemistry and biology. The main topics in Physics can be Light and Electricity, while the most questions in Chemistry are covered from Carbon and its compounds while the questions in Biology revolve around Life Processes, Control and Coordination.
In the science paper, CBSE sets 46% of questions for demonstrating knowledge and understanding, 22% questions for application of knowledge and concepts while the remaining 32% questions are for the students to formulate, analyze, evaluate and create. The topic-wise weightage in CBSE 10th Science paper 2026 will be as tabulated below:
| Unit | Topic | Weightage |
| Chemical Substances: Nature and Behaviour | Chemical reactionsAcids, bases and saltsMetals and nonmetalsCarbon compounds | 25 marks |
| World of Living | Life processesControl and coordination in animals and plantsReproductionHeredity and Evolution | 25 marks |
| Natural Phenomena | Natural Phenomena | 12 marks |
| Effects of Current | ElectricityMagnetic Effects of Electric Current | 13 marks |
| Natural Resources | Our Environment | 5 marks |
| TOTAL MARKS (THEORY) | 80 marks | |
Also Read: CBSE Board Exam 2026: CBSE releases subject-wise marks distribution for Classes 10th and 12th
CBSE 10th Science Exam 2026: Textbooks
It is mandatory for the CBSE board students to thoroughly go through the NCERT books for effective preparation. Those appearing for the CBSE Class 10 exams, this year, can check the important textbooks for science paper below:
- Science-Text book for class X- NCERT Publication
- Assessment of Practical Skills in Science- Class X- CBSE Publication
- Laboratory Manual-Science-Class X, NCERT Publication
- Exemplar Problems Class X – NCERT Publication
